Stapling machine

ABSTRACT

A stapling machine is shown having a base of springable material having a clearance spring integrally formed therein, a magazine made of springable material and having spaced sides also has a base portion and a rearwardly projecting spring member. A follower is formed with a body portion and a downwardly projecting forward portion having a pair of opposite laterally projecting members which are in slidable closely adjacent relationship with the sides of the magazine, a cover overlies the magazine and is formed with a longitudinal channel therewithin. A tapered coil spring is connected to the cover and the follower. A latch is provided with actuating means which are selectively engageable with complementary fastening means upon the rearwardly projecting spring member of the magazine.

United States Patent Ruskin [451 Apr. 18,1972

[54] STAPLING MACHINE P' E '-G 'llY.Ct,J-. [72] Inventor: Henry Ruskin, Cranford, NJ. 22122 $232 2 2: e r [73] Assi nee: Swin nelnc. Lon Island Ci ,N'.Y.

g S W 57 ABSTRACT [22] Filed: June 8, 1970 A r h h h b f b] stap mg mac me IS s own avmg a ase o sprmga e [21] A 44392 material havingaclearance spring integrally formed therein,a magazine made of springable material and having spaced sides 27 also has a base Portion and a rearwardly Projecting spring 3225c member. A follower is formed with a body portion and a [58] Field of Search ..227/l20, 121, 122, 123, 124, downwardly project ng forward portion having a pair of op- 227/125 126-, 127,128,129 posite laterally pro ecting members which are m slldable closely adjacent relationship with the sides of the magazine, a cover overlies the magazine and is formed with a longitudinal [56] References Cited channel therewithin. A tapered coil spring is connected to the UNITED ES NTS cover and the follower. A latch is provided with actuating a means which are selectively engageable with complementary 2,702,384 2/1955 Ruskln .,.....227/ 128 v i means upon the rearwardly projecting spring 2,499,432 3/1950 Von Cseh.. ..227/l20 member the magazing l,59l,986 7/1926 Maynard... 227/120X 2,288,500 6/1942 Vogel 4227/ 125 12 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEDA'PR 1a 1912 656,678

SHEET 1 BF 3 INVENTOR. HENRY RUSKIN ATTORNEY PATENTEDAPR 18 I972 3, 6-56 678 SHEET 2 OF 3 INVENTOR. HENRY RUSKIN ATTORNEY PATEMTEDAP Rmmzz 3,656,678

SHEET 3 OF 3 INVENTOR. HENRY RUSK IN ATTORNEY l STAPLING MACHINE DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION I miniature stapling machine-invented by Henry Ruskin and described in US. Pat. No. 2,702,3.84.

Since his necessary, in this typeof stapling machine, to 4 produce the machine very cheaply and simply, the structures in the prior stapling machine of Henry Ruskin were somewhat unsatisfactory. For example, there was a relatively large amount of assembly work required which meant that the cost of manufacture of the machine was higher than it should be.

In addition, in the prior machine, assembly of the parts could not be quickly and conveniently done whereby the assembly would be properly done each time. If tolerances were exceeded or if the assembly worker was rushed or hurried the assembly would be improper and the machine would not properly operate.

The structures provided inthis invention avoid many of the difficulties of the prior construction and produce a stapling machine which is far superior to stapling machines heretofore made.

Some of the novel constructions of the stapling machine of 1 this invention will be set forth herein:

1. The base of the machine, which is made of springable material, has a clearance spring integrally formed'ther'ein which has a portion extending laterally from the base and abuts an underside portion of each of the sides of the magazine. As a resultpthe base-magazine-clearance spring construction is simple to assemble sincev onlytwo mating parts are required rather than three and the device is simple and positive in operation.

2. The follower is formed with a body portion and a downwardly projecting forward'portion which has a pair of opposite laterally projecting members which are in slidable closely adjacent relationship with the sides of the magazine, wherein the clearance between each projecting member and the adjacent side is less than one-half of the thickness of each staple utilized in the magazine. As a FIG. I is a side elevational view of the stapling machine made in accordance with this invention with a portion of the plastic cover broken away to show the internal structure.

FIG. 2 isa bottom plan view of a stapling machine shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the stapling machine shown in FIG. 2 taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the top cover, cap, magazine cover, follower spring and latch assembly with a portion of the top cover cut away to show the internal struc- I ture.

FIG. 5, is a perspective view of the magazine and base subassembly of the stapling machine of this invention.

FIG. 5A is'a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the magazine showing the base portion, the side portions, and the rearwardly extending springable portion of the. structure shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the sub-assembly shown in FIG. 4 and the sub-assembly shown in FIG. 5 as they are being assembled to one another and before rails 30 are locked into slots 20.

FIG. 7 is a sideelevational view, similar to the side eleva- I of the coil spring and holding member of this invention taken along lines 9-9 of FIG. 3. 4

The invention will now be further described by reference to the specific form thereof as shown in the accompanying drawings. In this connection, however, the reader is cautioned to note that such specific form of invention, as shown in the drawings herein, is for illustrative purposes and purposes of example only. Various changes and modifications could obviously be made within the spirit and scope of this invention.

Now referring to the specific form of this invention as shown in the drawings herein, the stapling machine 11 of this result, the staple cannot get between the sides of the follower and the sides of the magazine in order to jam the structure.

3. The cover overlying the magazine is formed with a downwardly depending rear portion and 'a longitudinal reinforcing channel, a coil spring is connected to the cover and to the follower and is disposed within the longitudinal channel. As a result, a very simpleand positive follower-spring construction is provided for feeding staples for driving by the machine of this invention.

4. The magazine is also made of springable material and has spaced sides. A bottom staple supporting portion depends from each of the spaced sides and a rearwardly projecting spring member projects from one of the bottom portions and is spaced from the sides. This rearwardly projecting portion contains fastener means thereupon which are springably and selectively abuttable with complementary fastening means carried by the downwardly depending portion of the cover of. this invention. The rearwardly projecting portion also carries an angularly offset cam portion which is abuttable with the latch button of theinvention is formed with a basev 12 which is made of springable material such as, for example, steel.

Integral withbase 12 are a pair of upstanding side portions 13, each of which is provided with a recess 14 therewithin. A spring 15 (which serves as a clearance spring) is integrally struck from base 12 and extends upwardly therefrom. Spring 15 also bears a pair of outwardly extending opposite lateral portions 16 which are disposed within recesses 14.

'An anvil I7 is disposed upon base 12 andis adapted to clinch the legs of a driven staple. 4

A magazine 18 is fon'ned with a pair of side portions 19 which are laterally-spaced fromone another at their upper portions and are joined to one another by front portion 22. Each upper portion of each side 19 is provided with a longitudinal slot 20 therewithin. Each side portion 19 also carries a bottom portion 21a which underlie. the magazine and are spaced from one another at 99 (FIG. 5A). Portions 21A are connected together at 36 by welding or staking. One of the portions 21a also carries a rearwardly projecting springable portion 24 which is integral with the portion 21 which carries the same. Portion 24 bears a downwardly depending cam portion 25 at the rear thereof. Bottom portions 21 do not extend the entire length of the side portions 19 carrying the same but terminate at intermediate points 23 of sides 19. Thus portion extending detent element 26 (FIGS. 2 and 3). Magan'ne cover 29 bears an offset downwardly depending portion 54 (FIG. 3). The end portion of number 54 is designed to selectively inter- 3 lockwith detained element 26 and thus nonnally retain the parts and interlock position. The end portion of number 24 is ofi'set at 25.

. Each of side portions 19 of magazine 18 is also provided with an opening'5 therewithin. Each opening 5 is adapted to I selectively slidably accommodate an extrusion projection 6.

An extrusion projection 6 is located on opposite sides 7 of cover 29.

Cover 29 is formed with a pair of oppositely laterally outwardly-projecting rails 30 which are carried by sides 7 thereof.

' Each of rails 30 are designed to slidably fit within a slot 20.

Cover 29 is also provided with a spring access opening which constitutes the front portion of a longitudinal channel 3. The sides '4 of channel 3 adjacent opening 31 areangularly biased to permit easy assembly of spring 32. Cover 29 further bears a forwardly projecting portion 33 which is adapted to fit within arecess 34 providedwithin driver blade portion 35 of driver arm 48. Portion 33 in turn bears a pair of oppositely 'laterallyend portions. End portion is secured to member 38 and opposite end portion 41 of spring 32 is retained by shoulder portion 8 of holding portion 42 located upon follower 43. Cover 29 carries a-downwardly'depending portion 54 which carries an angular portion 1 thereupon.

Follower 43 "is formed with a pair of opposite side portions 44 and a downwardly depending portion 45 at the front thereof. Portion 45 extends laterally and oppositely outwardly beyond sides 44 and the outwardly extendingsides 46 of follower 43 are adapted to be-closely adjacent to the respective inner faces of sides 19 of magazine 18. The distance between each. side 46 of follower 43'and the respective inner face of a side 19 must be less than one-half the thickness of each staple driven by themachine of this invention. This is necessary to prevent the sides of a staple from becoming wedged between the sides of the follower and the sides of the magazine.

Disposed above cover 29 and mounted thereon by rivet 47 is .driver'arm 48 which is spring loaded upwardly and bears offset driver 35 at its frontend. Overlying driver arm 48 is cover portion 49 (preferablymade of plastic) which is secured to driver arm 48 byprojecting stud 50 which intum 'is heat peened and disposed within opening 51 located within driver driver on 48 also bears a rearwardly extending portion 55 which extends beyond cover 29. The end portion of number 55' is locked within a recess contained within number 72. Latch button 28 is formed with an offset operating handle 70, and intermediate portion '71, and an offset end portion 59. The intermediate portion 71 of latch button 28 is formed with and opening 57 therein which opening is designed to accommodate number 55 and thus retain latch button 28 in position. Latch button 28-is also within recess 60 which is provided within number 49. End portion 59 of intermediate portion 71 of latch button 28abuts offset portion 25 of number 24.-Thus if handle 70 of latch button 28 is depressed offset portion 59 moves offset portion 25 downwardly and thus constitutes a means which permit the release of the end portion of number 54 from its contact with detent element'26.-'l'his permits the machine to open.

With the foregoing specific description the operation of this invention will now be explained.

The device is assembled by conventional techniques as is obvious to one skilled in this art. However it is to be notedthat the spring 32 can be easily retained in position bybe'irig pressed onto the appropriate supports and that access to the 5 spring for this step is simple by reason of the constructions of the appropriate portion of the cover.

33 is permanently but'slidably retained 4 v Latch button 28'is depressed which in tumcauses pressure to be exerted by element 59 upon element 25 of portion 24 of magazine 18. This movement, in effect, creates a camming action that will disengage fastening-elements 26 and 27 from one another. As a result the spring'pressure produced by reason of snugly within openings 5. This will serve to locate the parts properly and permit a smooth closure.

Stapling canthen be perfonned by applying pressure on cover 49 which will apply a downwardforce on driver arm 48. This movement will cause driver blade portion to drive a staple that has been propelled within this opening by follower 43. If anvil 17 is in position this staplewill then be clinched by the anvil. However it is noted that the sides 46 of follower 43 are spaced from the inner surface of the sides 19'ofthe magazine by no more than one-half of thefthickness of each staple to be driven by th'er'nachine. Therefore it is impossible forfastaple to become wedged between the sides of the'follower and the sides of the magazine and thusjamming of the machine is prevented. In the driving of a staple with anvil l7 inposition itis noted that portions 16 of spring portion 15 of base 12 contact portions of sides 19 of magazine 18. These portions are located upon the undersides of sides 19 and rearward of portions 23. Thus, as the magazine portion of the machine is pushed downwardly toward the base, spring portion 15 is pushed downwardly and acts as 'a clearance spring to maintain a spaced relationship between the magazine and the base except when actual stapling action occurs. This permits the work, such as paper or the like, to be conveniently inserted between the base and the magazine. I

If the stapling machine of this invention is to be used as a tacker the base is pivotally moved; away from the magazine 7 and, in this position, of course, spring 15 hasjno function.

It is also to be noted that. the springable portion 24 is integral with the remainder of the magazine. Thus all the accuracy required for the part location ,is built right in this one structure. Also the structure involved, together with the associated structures permit proper and simple, actioniof'the flatch button and associated parts to unlock the machine. Because of the camangles involved portion 25 is also pushed forwardly so that an the magazine. v

It is to be noted that portion 1 carried by portion 54 is singularly disposed and that the angle matches the angle of portion 25. Thus, when the cover 29 and associated parts are moved a I forwardly in order to close themagazine portion 1. moves along portion 25 during the closing movement. This constitutes a camming action between portions 1 and portions 25 and thus aids in providing a smooth closure of the magazine.

The base and magazine of this invention are preferably made of springable steel but any other resilient material which is satisfactory for the purpose can be employed. The magazine cover and latch button are also preferably made of steel but any other material having satisfactory properties may also be employed.- The cover portion 49 is preferably made of plastic but any similar material can also be employed. g

The foregoing sets forth the manner in which the objects of this invention are achieved.

I claim:'

l. A stapling machine comprising, in'combination, a base of springable material having a pair of spaced upstanding walls thereupon, each of said walls provided. with an opening therewithin, said base' also having an upwardly projecting spring member integral therewithin, said spring member-haw ing a pair of laterally and outwardly projecting portions'each disposed within one of openings within said walls, a magazine made of springable material having a pair of spaced assisting opening force isproduced upon sides pivotally connected to said base, each of said sides also provided with a longitudinal slot therewithin, said magazine also having a base portion and a springable rearwardly projecting element integral therewithin having fastening means thereupon, an offset portion adjacent said fastening means,- a cover overlying said magazine having a longitudinal channel therewithin provided with a biased forward opening and a pair of laterally extending projections each disposed within one of the slots within said magazine, a latch element having fastening means complementary to the fastening means upon said rearwardly projecting element of said magazine, said latch element also having an offset portion selectively abuttable with ing portions each disposed within one of said openings, a magazine pivotally connected to said base between said walls and having a pair of spaced sides, each of the laterally extending portions of said spring selectively abutting the underside of the offset portion upon said rearwardly projecting element,

said control element being selectively interlockedwith said projecting element, a springable driver arm latch, securing means carried by said driver arm, driver blade means also carried by said cap and provided with an opening therewithin, a projecting element carried by said cover and extending into said opening in said driver blade means, said projecting element having a pair of laterally outwardly extending portions thereupon, a follower having a body portion and a downwardly depending front portion having outwardly extending sides adapted to lie adjacent the sides of said magazine at a distance no greater than one-half the thickness of any staple driven by said machine, said follower also having a securing portion thereupon, a complementary securing portion carried by said cover, and a coil spring having a pair of narrowed opposite end portions disposed between the first and second named securing portions and adapted to lie within the channel within said cover.

2. A follower for a stapling machine comprising, incombination, a body having a downwardly depending front portion, said front portion extending laterally from said body.

3. A follower as described in claim 2 including a securing portion upon said body.

4. A base for a stapling machine made of springable material, a spring integral with said base, said spring having a pair of opposite lateral portions extending outwardly from said base.

5. A base as described in claim 4 including a pair of spaced ears each having an opening therewithin adapted to accommodate one of the lateral portions of said spring.

6. In a stapling machine the improvement that comprises a base of springable material having a pair of spaced walls each provided with an opening therewithin, a spring member integral with said base having a pair of opposite laterally extendone of said sides of said magazine.

7. In a stapling machine as described in claim 6 said magazine also having a base portion extending between the front of each of said sides and an intermediate portion thereof and a springable projecting member having fastening means thereupon extending rearwardly from said base and in spaced relationship with each of said sides. I

8. In a stapling machine as described in claim 7 including a follower disposed within the base portion of said magazine, said follower having a body having a second spring holding portion thereupon and a downwardly depending front portion having opposite outwardly extending lateral elements, said lateral elements being adjacent the sides of the base portion of said magazine at a distance no greater than one-half the thickness of any staple driven by said machine, and a coil spring member secured between said first and second spring holding portions and selectivelydisposable within said longitudinal channel.

9. In a stapling machine as described in claim 8 including a latch member having complementary fastening means selectively engageable with the fastening means upon the rearwardly extending portion of said magazine.

10. In a stapling machine as described in claim 9 including a downwardly depending portion at the rear end of said rear? wardly extending po on of sard magazine, sard fastening means carried by said downwardly depending portion.

11. In a stapling machine having a magazine having a springable portion connected thereto the improvement which comprises a first offset portion carried by said springable portion and a pivotally movable latch having a second offset portion abuttable with said first offset portion.

12. In a stapling machine as described in claim 11 including spring means, a cover slidably movable forwardly and overlying said magazine, fastening means upon said cover, comple mentary fastening means upon said springable portion of said magazine selectively interlockable with said first-named fastening means, spring means operatively connected with said cover adapted to bias said cover into open position, movement of said latch causing said fastening means upon said magazine and cover to become disengaged from one another. 

1. A stapling machine comprising, in combination, a base of springable material having a pair of spaced upstanding walls thereupon, each of said walls provided with an opening therewithin, said base also having an upwardly projecting spring member integral therewithin, said spring member having a pair of laterally and outwardly projecting portions each disposed within one of said openings within said walls, a magazine made of springable material having a pair of spaced sides pivotally connected to said base, each of said sides also provided with a longitudinal slot therewithin, said magazine also having a base portion and a springable rearwardly projecting element integral therewithin having fastening means thereupon, an offset portion adjacent said fastening means, a cover overlying said magazine having a longitudinal channel therewithin provided with a biased forward opening and a pair of laterally extending projections each disposed within one of the slots within said magazine, a latch element having fastening means complementary to the fastening means upon said rearwardly projecting element of said magazine, said latch element also having an offset portion selectively abuttable with the offset portion upon said rearwardly projecting element, said control element being selectively interlocked with said projecting element, a springable driver arm latch, securing means carried by said driver arm, driver blade means also carried by said cap and provided with an opening therewithin, a projecting element carried by said cover and extending into said opening in said driver blade means, said projecting element having a pair of laterally outwardly extending portions thereupon, a follower having a body portion and a downwardly depending front portion having outwardly extending sides adapted to lie adjacent the sides of said magazine at a distance no greater than one-half the thickness of any staple driven by said machine, said follower also having a securing portion thereupon, a complementary securing portion carried by said cover, and a coil spring having a pair of narrowed opposite end portions disposed between the first and second named securing portions and adapted to lie within the channel within said cover.
 2. A follower for a stapling machine comprising, in combination, a body having a downwardly depending front portion, said front portion extending laterally from said body.
 3. A follower as described in claim 2 including a securing portion upon said body.
 4. A base for a stapling machine made of springable material, a spring integral with said base, said spring having a pair of opposite lateral portions extending outwardly from said base.
 5. A base as described in claim 4 including a pair of spaced ears each having an opening therewithin adapted to accommodate one of the lateral portions of said spring.
 6. In a staplinG machine the improvement that comprises a base of springable material having a pair of spaced walls each provided with an opening therewithin, a spring member integral with said base having a pair of opposite laterally extending portions each disposed within one of said openings, a magazine pivotally connected to said base between said walls and having a pair of spaced sides, each of the laterally extending portions of said spring selectively abutting the underside of one of said sides of said magazine.
 7. In a stapling machine as described in claim 6 said magazine also having a base portion extending between the front of each of said sides and an intermediate portion thereof and a springable projecting member having fastening means thereupon extending rearwardly from said base and in spaced relationship with each of said sides.
 8. In a stapling machine as described in claim 7 including a follower disposed within the base portion of said magazine, said follower having a body having a second spring holding portion thereupon and a downwardly depending front portion having opposite outwardly extending lateral elements, said lateral elements being adjacent the sides of the base portion of said magazine at a distance no greater than one-half the thickness of any staple driven by said machine, and a coil spring member secured between said first and second spring holding portions and selectively disposable within said longitudinal channel.
 9. In a stapling machine as described in claim 8 including a latch member having complementary fastening means selectively engageable with the fastening means upon the rearwardly extending portion of said magazine.
 10. In a stapling machine as described in claim 9 including a downwardly depending portion at the rear end of said rearwardly extending portion of said magazine, said fastening means carried by said downwardly depending portion.
 11. In a stapling machine having a magazine having a springable portion connected thereto the improvement which comprises a first offset portion carried by said springable portion and a pivotally movable latch having a second offset portion abuttable with said first offset portion.
 12. In a stapling machine as described in claim 11 including spring means, a cover slidably movable forwardly and overlying said magazine, fastening means upon said cover, complementary fastening means upon said springable portion of said magazine selectively interlockable with said first-named fastening means, spring means operatively connected with said cover adapted to bias said cover into open position, movement of said latch causing said fastening means upon said magazine and cover to become disengaged from one another. 